I wanna eat him whole and spit him out

Rex wasn't known for 'quiet'.

He wasn't the kind of guy who took things slow -- who went out of his way to make the other person feel better.

Being borderline lobotomized by a bullet can change a man, though. Go figure.

Life had opened up in a new way for Rex that he never thought he'd be able to experience. It was weird, and almost scary if he sat and thought about it for too long, but he was adjusting. Slowly but surely, his day-to-day routine became more focused. His interactions with the public became a little friendlier. Still not great, but he's trying.

So when you came strolling through the door of Burger Mart, he didn't really understand, at first, why his pile of greasy beef was suddenly going down his wind pipe. He coughed and hacked and made the biggest scene possible, which had most certainly caught your attention; you looked over and giggled behind the fabric of the sleeve of your sweater, before turning away to order.

You weren't his type. When he pictures his next hookup, it's not 'shy-cutesy-almost-librarian'.

Apparently though, that didn't matter because he went home that day only thinking about you. And suddenly you were everywhere, he paused to think if you were one of the regulars this area of Chicago had. If he had never noticed you before, because before his big change, he would've never thought to look in your direction.

And trust him, he knows how big of an asshole that makes him.

You were at Burger Mart every Friday night. At the park every Wednesday afternoon, sat with a picnic basket full of goodies for yourself; sometimes he'd catch you roaming around the grocery store. He was damn near calling you a stalker by how much you crossed paths, had it not been for the fact that he knew he was looking for you more than you were looking for him.

Never looking in his direction, not even a brief, pleasant smile you'd typically give a stranger. He just blended into the background of your day-to-day life as much as you used to do in his.

Which is what made Rex want to talk to you so much more.

Rex was so used to being the center of attention in every room he was in, and while he wasn't the same person he used to be, he didn't change entirely. Just enough to know he didn't need someone loud, or who could take him on in training, anymore. He didn't need to go out of his way to find someone who stood out as much as he wanted to, someone he either idolized or wanted to take down a notch by dating them.

...Rex knows he should never say those out loud.

He changed just enough to approach the girl he never noticed before, right in the middle of the tampon aisle.

No lobotomy could ever make him smoother. That was painfully obvious.

You were initially weirded out. Sure, you've noticed this red-head before. Sometimes against your will when he was shouting in the middle of the store, or having an argument with someone on the phone, in the middle of the park. Not so much recently, you hadn't actually really paid attention to him intentionally, ever. Not before now, as he stood in front of you -- while you're holding a box of tampons.

"Hey, uh, I'm Rex."

"That's nice... Can I help you?"

His heart fluttered, and he'd sworn before that he'd never use the word 'swoon' in his life. He heard Mark say it about Eve and cringed so hard he had felt the ghost sensations of the bullet all over again.

But right now, it's the only word he could think of.

Your voice was so soft, but not quiet. Just a calm tone that he doesn't think he's ever heard anyone speak to him in. Not the lab scientist he grew up with, not his friends or Teen Team, and definitely not while being a Guardian. Why did he have to notice the way your lashes sat so prettily on your cheeks? Or how even the fluorescent lighting of a grocery store made your eyes shine a hue he didn't know the human brain could comprehend.

You cleared your throat and waved your hand -- which was no longer holding a box of tampons, where did that go? -- trying to catch his attention, "Hey, if you're done staring, I'd like to finish my grocery shopping..."

"Oh, shit! Yeah, sorry. I got a brain injury recently and now when I see pretty people I kinda start to short circuit."

Okay, maybe the lobotomy could make him smoother. Even if he did it on accident.

He hadn't even realized his success until he heard that wonderful sound float through his ears once again, but closer this time. You were giggling behind your sleeve again, cheeks in full bloom from the compliment. "Wow, that was kinda smooth. Was that on purpose or did you actually have brain damage?"

"Actual brain damage. I took a bullet through the skull."

As much as you hated to admit it, you were undeniably attracted to Rex. He was funny, unpredictable, and loud. It was everything you weren't and as awkward as it was sometimes, you two meshed together so well.

When you struggled to tell the guy at Burger Mart you didn't want any mustard, Rex not only got you burger re-made but he also got you a refund; when he couldn't figure out why all his clothes were turning pink, you taught him how to separate laundry. Your friendship was always on the flirty side, and the attraction was glaringly obvious between the two of you.

Both of you knew it. But for reasons beyond Rex, your calming nature turned him into a nervous mess. Rex's confidence gave you an ounce of your own, reassuring you he'd make the move when he was ready.

So even as you got closer and the connection became more obvious -- including to everyone around you, both your friends and the few of his you met -- days turned into weeks, and turned into months. The routine was nice, though. On days you had class, there was some snack or pre-ordered meal waiting for you on your kitchen counter, when Rex couldn't hand it over himself.

On days you didn't have class but you had work, he was there sitting in the lobby. You've almost gotten written up at least twice because of you guys goofing off, but your coworkers and friends were just happy to see someone pulling you from your shell.

And days you had nothing to do at all? If his work wasn't dragging him away to do whatever he did, it was spent binging movies all day in your apartment.

It was also spent with a quiet tension of Rex's need to kiss you, and your need for Rex to kiss you.

So, one lazy afternoon, Rex finally spits it out.

"Hey, can we talk?" He's sitting upright and rigid, his face is flushed and he looks a little sweaty.

You've never been more endeared.

Your own heart is racing as you sit up from your lounged position, turning to face him on the couch. Rex is staring at you so intensely you're almost worried, but you're hopes are up that he might finally make a move.

He just can't stop staring though. His stomach almost hurts because all he can think about is how pretty you are. He's watching the way your sweater drapes over your palms, the same palms that cover your perfect smile when you laugh. The same laugh that scrunches your eyes and nose; the way you laugh when he says something funny is a form of joy he's never thought possible.

"I really wanna take you out on a date. Like, a real one. Not one of our friend date's. A not-friend date. Like, a romantic date, where--"

"Hey, Rex? I know what a date is."

"Well if you know so much, then why don't you just say yes already so I can stop pissing my pants like a--"

You're glowing. Not literally, but Rex swears his explosions have nothing on you.

You had said yes to going on a date with him, which was surprising enough -- then he had to plan it, too? He had to consult the only emotionally stable person he knew. His ex.

Eve had no hesitation with making fun of Rex. She helped nonetheless, seeing his transformation from that hospital bed until now. Seeing him want to do things right gave her hope. Hope amidst all the awful shit happening, they could still be happy, even Rex.

So yeah, she helped him find this hole-in-the-wall place.

She found it for her and Mark, but she didn't really mind sharing. From what she heard about you, it'd be worth it having a presence like yours around.

It was a quiet little place with no actual sign and staircase front the door, down two flights. The staircase was lined with fairy lights that twinkled, and was somewhere between an art gallery and a restaurant. There was a live singer in the corner who was humming something soft and sweet, and Rex owed Eve big time for this.

The way you looked in this atmosphere was breathtaking.

There was something so grounding in your presence, for Rex, with the way you seemed to fit right in. He always knew loud and fast paced was a little too much, but seeing you in your element of hushed conversations and smooth tunes unlocked a whole new side to you.

"Rex, this is amazing. It's.. It's perfect. How did you even find this?" You weren't the happiest hearing it was via his ex, but when he explained that they were still coworkers and that she was in a relationship as well, you eased. You also couldn't deny she had amazing taste, so maybe one day you'd have to thank her.

"I know there's still a lot of noise, with the live singer and everything, but I figured if everybody was keeping to themselves it'd be easy. Seems we picked a slower night too." Rex was unnaturally bashful and he was almost frustrated with how lacking he was in confidence. He wasn't even sure it was from is injury anymore.

Ever since you had entered his life, he had felt like this. Rex was definitely beating himself up for not asking you on this date sooner, because damn you were stunning. But you were here now and so was he, and it was perfect. The food they served was a wonderful balance, and their bartender was damn good too. You and Rex both sipped your drinks as you decided to browse the art on display.

He decided this was the best time to do the next big step.

No, not proposing, silly reader.

You still had no idea he was Rex Splode. Ever since his big injury, e had been pretty inactive. Rex was still called to duty if absolutely necessary but Cecil had put him on a huge back burner, which is what gave Rex so much time to bond with you in the first place.

Rex is one of the least honest people he knows, but he swears to change it. Every moment you've both spent together had solidified for him more and more, that no matter the outcome from this date, he wanted to be a better person. For you, for his friends, for himself. Which started with him being honest.

So as he guided you through the art pieces, he finished his drink with nerves buzzing over the alcohol in his veins. It led to an outside area around the back of the building which was unoccupied except for a couple chattering and giggling quietly, minding their own business.

It was definitely just a renovated alleyway, but still beautiful. Rex could honestly have taken you to Burger Mart for your first date and you would've been happy, but you're more than grateful for what he's done tonight. You were skimming your fingers along a painting, when he clears his throat behind you, "So, how's our first official date going? I mean probably amazing because I'm great at planning, but I figured I'd ask."

You giggle softly, nodding along with his antics, "Oh, obviously. I'd expect nothing less of you," your hand is placed on your chest dramatically, expressions exaggerated. "The only thing that could one-up this date is if I got to meet like, a superhero or something."

Part of you was joking, but part of you was dead serious. Rex was sometimes obnoxious, and didn't really know volume control. He understood boundaries but knew every way to push them just enough to make you laugh, not make you angry -- like when he ate half of your favorite snack and then ended up choking, because when you tried to steal them back, he tried to shove it all in his mouth.

Even at his weirdest moments over the past months, you're not above admitting he's starting to make you a little head over heels. You've always tried dating someone quiet and self-kept, like yourself. You had always wondered why it never worked out. Until Rex.

Rex made it so blatantly obvious you needed someone the exact opposite of you, and he was always willing to prove he's the right man for the job. You think he might be trying a little too hard, when he speaks next, "Well, what if I told you, you were on a date with one?"

You don't mean to snort in a mean way, but your automatic reaction to Rex is laughter -- one of the things that draw you into his orbit. But you realize he's not laughing, and he actually looks more nervous than the day he asked you out on this date.

"I used to be awful, and how you've chosen to see beyond what I've told you about it beyond me. I don't even think I have enough emotional intelligence, let alone actual intelligence to tell you what this date means for me," you're not laughing or snorting anymore, and you're barely sure you're breathing. Rex has told you about his past of how he used to treat friends and partners, and how he grew up in a broken home. Never many details, but enough to tell you the man stood in front of you was not the same man in those stories.

No, the man in those stories wouldn't have worked so hard to make all of this so perfect for you -- he would've never even noticed you, and you were aware of that fact. It made you so much more grateful for his effort, and made it so much more endearing to see him try so hard.

"I told myself the next time I would be lucky enough to find someone willingly to deal with my ass, I would never lie to them. I would never, ever break their trust. It's a moral I should've had before taking a bullet to the brain, but I'm trying so hard to learn what it means to me now."

You're eyes are lined with the prettiest tears he's ever seen, and he's never spoken so beautifully to you, "So yea, I'm one of the Guardians. I'm Rex Splode and my work is really dangerous. It's almost killed me more tan once, and could kill me one day. It could get you hurt too, and that scares the shit out of me. But god, you're just... You're so..."

He's struggling for words, but he doesn't have to struggle for long. You're arms are wrapping around his neck and dragging his lips down to yours -- the kiss is an awkward mesh of tears and surprise grunts coming from Rex. He's not sure how to do this when he isn't taking the lead, but he tries to catch up. Your kiss is overwhelming and so full of emotion that you're only half there mentally, but you've never been happier.

After a breathless moment, you both pull away and rest your foreheads against each other. Quiet sniffles from you, and panting from Rex -- the moment was so charged and so, so perfect.

"So... You still like me or what?"

You can't help the laughter that bubbles out because through and through, he's still Rex. Yeah, apparently he's also Rex Splode, and yeah he's got a lot more about him he's never told you. But he's still just Rex, your Rex. "Yeah, I still like you. A lot, actually. I just kissed a superhero so you've got brownie points going for you."

In the corner, the couple that had been chatting quietly, cheered and it startled you and Rex both. You both jump, looking in the other couple's direction -- a dark haired guy with a red-headed girl were both smiling wide in your direction, waving around a thumb's up. Rex groans as his head tips back, "You guys crashed my fucking date?! Creeps!"

"Who's that?"

"Atom Eve and Invincible."

"Aren't their identities supposed to be secret?"

"She's my ex and that's her new boyfriend. We're all friends, they're just annoying."

"Ah, I see. I'm gonna go say hi."

"Wait, no, please I want another kiss-"